Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
This high-level event that will bring together policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, and academics to explore how global and regional developments impact countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Amid heightened global uncertainty, the discussions will focus on the policy actions required to foster sustained growth, stability, and shared prosperity across the region.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons recap his House Appropriation Committee testimony and more.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
TSA Law Enforcement – Federal Air Marshal Service Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS). Detect, Identify, and Response Operation at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, LA.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Watch ICE officers arrest Mexican national Humberto Lopez at a San Diego gas station.
Convictions:
Assault with a deadly weapon
Transportation and sales of narcotics
Robbery
Grand theft
Illegal entry into the U.S.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Press Conference by Andrew Saberton, Deputy Executive Director for Management, UNFPA, on his recent trip to Afghanistan.
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A dual humanitarian crisis is looming in Afghanistan as tens of thousands of Afghans are being forced to return from neighbouring countries. In April 2025, more than 251,000 Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan, including over 96,000 who were deported. At the same time, UNFPA’s largest donor, the US Government, has abruptly ended all funding to UNFPA in the country, totalling over $100 million.
People forced to return to Afghanistan may encounter serious risks. This is especially true for Afghan women and girls, who face increasing restrictions in terms of access to employment, education and freedom of movement in Afghanistan. These concerns are compounded by acute humanitarian needs inside Afghanistan, rising unemployment rates, as well as natural disasters and extreme weather incidents.
The funding UNFPA has lost was mostly for Family Health Houses, mobile health teams and psychosocial support services in rural communities. As a result, 6.3 million people, mostly women and girls, will lose access to life-saving care and UNFPA will be forced to reduce the number of facilities it supports by over a half over the next year.
From 4 – 9 May 2025, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (Management) Mr. Andrew Saberton visited Afghanistan to see the difference UNFPA is making and better understand the impact of the funding cuts. He visited UNFPA-supported services in the capital Kabul, Bamyan province, and the Torkham border with Pakistan and saw the devastating impacts the massive cuts to UNFPA will have in one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
“Blue helmets can mean the difference between life and death,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged renewed global commitment to peacekeeping during the opening of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, warning that operations are facing unprecedented financial and political pressure.
“My thanks to Germany for bringing us together at this consequential moment,” Guterres said. “This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations organization was founded on the conviction that peace is possible if we work as one United’s human family. That is what our peace operations are about.”
Highlighting the symbolic and operational importance of the United Nations peacekeeping forces, the Secretary-General stated, “The UN Blue Helmets are the most globally recognized symbol of the world’s ability to come together to help countries move from conflict to peace.”
Guterres pointed to several countries that transitioned from war to stability with the help of UN missions. “There is a long list of countries that have achieved durable peace with the support of UN peacekeeping, including Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Liberia, Namibia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste. Many of these countries now themselves contribute troops,” he said.
However, he also emphasized the human cost of these missions. “Through the decades, 4400 peacekeepers have fallen in the line of duty. Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he said, inviting participants to join him in a moment of silence.
As part of a broader reform process initiated by Member States, Guterres referenced the “Pact for the Future,” which calls for a comprehensive review of peace operations. “The review will examine how we can make peacekeeping operations more adaptable, flexible and resilient while recognizing the limitations in situations where there is little or no peace to keep,” he said.
He acknowledged the difficulties of operating in increasingly polarized geopolitical contexts. “We see increasing differences of views around our peacekeeping operations work, and then what circumstances with what mandates they should be deploys. And for how long,” he noted.
Guterres also addressed the challenge of shrinking financial resources. “Peace operations can only succeed when backed by robust mandates and clear, predictable and sustained contributions, both financial and logistical,” he stated. “It is crucial that we are able to use the increasingly limited resources we have and use them well.”
Concluding his address, the Secretary-General called for continued Member State engagement. “Supported at every step by Member States, we look forward to your government’s support and ideas as we tackle these challenges together,” he said.
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Commemoration of International Day of Vesak 2025, co-hosted by Permanent Mission of Thailand and Sri Lanka.
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The General Assembly, by its resolution 54/115 of 1999, recognized internationally the Day of Vesak to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and a half millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity. This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices, in consultation with the relevant UN offices and with permanent missions.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
With help from the Texas Department of Safety, we arrested Honduran criminal alien Wilmer Mancia-Morales in Harlingen, Texas, May 8.
Convicted of burglarizing a home
Facing criminal prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Texas for reentry after removal
Follow our page for news updates, operational videos & more.
Source: Eurojust
15 May 2025|
At the request of the Belgian authorities, Eurojust has coordinated cross-border judicial support to investigations into alleged corruption regarding the purchase of military equipment for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). This allegedly took place via particular current and former employees of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
Since April of this year, Eurojust has organised a series of meetings to enable cooperation and the exchange of information. It also set up a coordination centre on Tuesday 13 May 2025, to support judicial and investigative measures taken in all countries concerned. As a result of these measures, various potential suspects have been identified.
In view of the involvement of various national authorities into these investigations, Eurojust was requested by the Belgian Federal Prosecution Service to ensure a coordinated judicial approach. The Agency will continue to provide cross-border judicial assistance to all investigative authorities involved.
As investigations are ongoing, Eurojust cannot provide any further comment at this stage.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced the No Handouts for Drug Advertisements Act, which would end federal subsidies for pharmaceutical company advertising. Current law allows pharmaceutical companies to claim business deductions on direct-to-consumer advertising, subsidizing their publicity at taxpayers’ expense. Direct-to-consumer advertising contributes to increased healthcare costs and encourages patients to request specific brand-name drugs that may be substantially more expensive than more effective alternatives, including lifestyle changes. The Senators’ legislation would close this loophole. “For too long, Big Pharma has used our tax dollars to fund ads that push their products directly on patients. That needs to end,” Senator Hawley said. “HHS Secretary RFK, Jr. has made it clear that he wants to ban prescription drug commercials, and I’m proud to introduce legislation to do just that. Making America Healthy Again starts by ending handouts to these corporations and empowering consumers to make the health decision that is truly in their best interest.”
“It’s flat-out wrong that drug companies receive huge tax breaks for running ads directly to consumers, especially as taxpayers in my state pay more and more for life-saving drugs,” said Senator Shaheen. “It’s well past time for Congress to step in to end these tax breaks, lower costs for everyday Americans and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable. My bipartisan bill with Senator Hawley offers a practical solution to do just that.” The No Handouts for Drug Advertisements Act would:
Amend the Internal Revenue Code to disallow tax deductions for expenses related to direct-to-consumer advertising of both prescription drugs and compounded medications.
Define “direct-to-consumer advertising” as advertisements primarily targeted to the general public through television, radio, direct mail, billboards, internet, social media, and other digital platforms.
Read the full bill text here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
May 15, 2025
Bicameral bill aligns with new White House guidelines on AI contracting for government agencies
Text of Bill (PDF) | Text of One-Pager (PDF)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act to ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD)’s contracting for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing tools prioritizes resiliency and competition. The bill reins in Big Tech monopolies and prevents them from cutting out competitors in the AI and cloud computing markets.
Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Pat Fallon (R-Texas), and Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives.
The reintroduction comes as the White House has released new guidelines on AI procurement that encourage federal agencies to avoid vendor lock-in and to ensure that government data is protected and not used to train commercial AI models.
The AI and cloud computing industries are highly concentrated, and a few Silicon Valley companies control the markets the DoD relies on for cloud infrastructure, foundation models, and data infrastructure. DoD has already awarded $9 billion in contracts to Google, Oracle, Microsoft, and Amazon to build its cloud computing network, and requested an additional $1.8 billion for AI programs for Fiscal Year 2025. The Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act would ensure that DoD’s new contracts protect competition in the AI and cloud computing markets, instead of giving an unfair advantage to a few big players. The bill also encourages DoD to consider cloud computing services from multiple providers so the agency isn’t locked in by a single tech company.
Specifically, the bill would:
Senators Warren and Schmitt first introduced the Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act in December 2024.
“It’s a mistake to let Silicon Valley monopolize our AI and cloud computing tools because it doesn’t just stifle innovation, it increases costs and threatens our national security,” said Senator Warren. “Our bill will make sure the military can access cutting-edge tools and will keep our markets strong and our information secure.”
“The Department of Defense’s procurement system must encourage competition instead of allowing a select group of companies to dominate the awards process. We must move away from policies that create risk concentration, and stifle innovation to instead adopt policies that create opportunities for emerging A.I. defense companies. I am proud to be leading this bill that promotes this smart policy, as well as encourage innovation so the U.S. can continue to lead A.I.,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
“Competition always pushes the limits of creativity, innovation, and excellence – whether in AI or any other field. That’s why the Department of Defense needs to prioritize competition in its AI and cloud computing contracts to ensure we deploy the best technologies to protect and strengthen our national security. I’m proud to help lead this bicameral legislation that will make our country safer, stronger, and more competitive on the global stage,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs.
“The Department of Defense needs to shape up its federal tech procurement process to protect data and public money from the failures of concentrated power and a lack of competition,” said Congressman Chris Deluzio. “Policies like the Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act will promote real competition in the defense technology sector to help keep our military strong, fortified, and ready for anything.”
“By relying on free market principles, the Department of Defense can help ensure competition and innovation when it comes to the bidding process for government AI and cloud contracts,” said Congressman Pat Fallon. “It’s our duty to ensure the DOD is picking the winners now and, in the future, to keep ahead of our competitors. Due to the varied cyber threats facing our nation today, we must also ensure that AI and cloud related data is secure when it is held exclusively by the federal government. For these reasons, the Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act is the next step forward Congress must take in the interest of US national security.”
The Protecting AI and Cloud Competition in Defense Act is endorsed by Economic Securities Project Action and the Open Markets Institute.
Senator Warren has been a leader in the fight to rein in Big Tech and boost competition in the tech and defense sectors:
Source: US State of Oregon
a href=”https://acl.gov/oam/2025/older-americans-month-2025″>Older Americans Month is celebrated every May and is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of older Americans and reaffirm commitments to meeting the needs of older adults in our communities. The 2025 Older Americans Month theme is Flip the Script on Aging, which focuses on shifting common perceptions of aging and explores ways people stay active and engaged in their communities as they age.
“We must challenge the outdated narratives that can limit older adults’ potential, recognize the many contributions being made by older adults, and support opportunities for people to thrive in their communities in ways that are meaningful to them,” said Nakeshia Knight-Coyle, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) within the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
As Gov. Tina Kotek’s proclamation of Older Americans Month highlights, “Older Oregonians continue to be active, engaged, and influential members of our community, participating in volunteer activities, mentoring, and contributing to the workforce.” The proclamation also notes that Oregon is home to more than 1.5 million people over the age of 50, and people over age 65 make up more than 19 percent of the state’s population. Estimates indicate that by 2034 there will be more people 65 and over than under 18. ODHS is looking ahead to ensure this growing population has and continues to have equitable access to programs that support and promote independence, health and safety, food security, employment, and connection through several initiatives. Recent accomplishments include:
People who need help with long-term care needs, food programs or other supports can contact their local APD office or office serving older adults and people with disabilities. A list of office locations and contact information is available on the ODHS office finder web page.
Free help and resource information is also available through the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of Oregon. Call 1-855-673-2372 or visit the ADRC website at https://adrcoforegon.org.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission is determined to make road transport across the EU more sustainable and resilient, while boosting the competitiveness of our industry and operators. In March 2025, the Commission published the Automotive Action Plan[1] and the communication on Decarbonising Corporate Fleets[2]. In addition, in the mission letter from the President of the Commission, the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism has been called upon to prepare a legislative proposal for clean corporate fleets.
Based on these commitments, the Commission is preparing a legislative proposal and will explore options and measures in an impact assessment on how to support the uptake of zero-emission vehicles by corporate buyers, without putting unnecessary burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and considering criteria on sustainability and resilience. Requirements on companies are only one of the options that will be explored, and all options will scrutinise costs and administrative burden for all parts of the value chain.
The Commission held an open public consultation in 2024, where more than 250 stakeholders, ranging from businesses and their associations to Member States and non-governmental organisations, put forward their positions on all aspects of corporate fleets. Additionally, the Commission will perform an additional open public consultation focused on options for the legislative proposal. The Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism will hold a Strategic Dialogue specifically on corporate fleets in the course of 2025.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission is considering together with Member States amendments to Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009[1] ‘Plant Protection Products (PPP) Regulation’ and the relevant Guidance document[2], aiming to improve efficiency for conducting comparative assessments while respecting the legal provisions of Article 50(1) of the PPP Regulation. Work is still ongoing. Stakeholders will also be consulted in due time.
The Commission would like to recall that in its decision of 22 August 2024[3], the European Ombudsman found that there was no maladministration by the Commission in relying on the relevant standard developed by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO). Whether or not that standard remains suitable for use in the EU or needs to be revised will depend on the outcome of the above-mentioned work on potential amendments to Annex IV and the related guidance.
The Commission would like to recall that EPPO is an independent intergovernmental organisation which governs its policy regarding conflicts of interest. The Commission informed EPPO of the Ombudsman’s recommendations in that regard.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission is pursuing infringement procedure INFR(2016)4081[1] to ensure compliance of Italian legislation regarding honorary judges with the requirements of EU labour law and effective access to justice.
As different national provisions apply to honorary judges who were already in service on 15 August 2017[2] and to those recruited after that date, separate assessments are required in the framework of INFR(2016)4081. Honorary judges belonging to the first group can be confirmed permanently in their positions and obtain worker status. On 15 April 2025, the Italian legislator adopted a reform amending their working conditions[3]. Reform plans are less advanced regarding honorary judges recruited after 15 August 2017.
The Commission also draws the Honourable Member’s attention to the fact that a preliminary reference on the capacity of confirmed honorary judges to effectively exercise their rights under EU law is currently pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union[4].
The Commission will analyse the recent reform and closely monitor the case law to assess whether further procedural steps are required to ensure conformity with EU law.
Source: European Parliament
In line with the article 194 of the European Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Union policy ensure the functioning of the energy market.
On this basis, the Electricity Regulation[1] and Directive[2] lay down the principles for the European electricity market. The Internal Energy Market and the integration of European electricity markets already benefit consumers by around EUR 34 billion every year[3]. It enables Member States to rely on neighbouring Member States to meet demand and ensure security of supply. The design of short-term markets through market coupling also ensures that the cheapest and cleanest technologies are used first, that interconnections are used in the most optimal way, and that all Member States can rely on imports in times of scarcity. The internal energy market is a protection against country-specific shocks, as the recent crisis has demonstrated.
Withdrawal of a Member State from only the European electricity market would be incompatible with current internal market rules and the EU treaties.
The EU agreed on a reform[4] of the European electricity market design to stabilise the prices of electricity supply, lower the impact of gas prices and ensure the reaping of the benefits from decarbonised electricity. As part of the Clean Industrial Deal, the Commission adopted an Action Plan for affordable Energy[5], which outlines the importance of further unlocking the value of our Energy Union by taking steps towards a fully integrated energy market supported by an interconnected and digitalised network. Further integration of the European internal energy market could increase the benefits to up to EUR 40-43 billion per year by 2030.
Source: European Parliament
The EU is a safe and attractive place for global researchers, and the Commission is working to further enhance the attractiveness of the EU as a place to conduct cutting-edge research. For example, by supporting the implementation of the new European framework for research careers[1], including the new European Charter for Researchers[2], with a view to retaining EU talents and attracting international ones, including from the US[3].
Several initiatives are in the pipeline to further attract international talents. This includes a new ‘Choose Europe for Science’ Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA)[4] already in 2025 to provide excellent researchers coming to Europe with pathways to stable employment[5], increasing the funding for European Research Council (ERC)[6] grantees who move to Europe from abroad, as well as a visa strategy.
At the same time, EURAXESS[7] continues to provide personalised support to incoming researchers, covering topics such as visas, relocation, career development, pensions, and family integration.
Furthermore, the European Research Area (ERA) Talent Platform[8] as a one-stop-shop for researchers ensures the visibility of the attractive environment of European careers, and a Research and Innovation Careers Observatory (ReICO)[9] will provide as of mid-2025 data from EU Member States and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD) countries on research careers to support additional evidence-based policies. Targeted communication activities are currently being assessed.
A proposal for a legislative ‘ERA Act’ is expected in the 3rd quarter of 2026, which will include measures to further strengthen researchers’ careers and mobility, including the freedom of scientific research, thereby enhancing Europe’s attractiveness for researchers.
The upcoming advanced digital skills academies under the Digital Europe Programme will include the possibility of establishing fellowship schemes, allowing PhD students and young professionals to work in EU-based companies.
Source: European Parliament
In line with the Anti-Money Laundering Directive[1] and the methodology[2] for identifying high risk third countries, the lists of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) are the baseline for the EU list of high risk third countries. The European Commission is a founding member of the FATF setting the Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards globally. The Commission also autonomously lists third countries posing a specific and serious threat to the EU’s financial system. In the future, the revised policy on third countries[3] will continue to rely on the FATF listings as a baseline. Under the new framework on Anti-money laundering agreed in 2024[4], countermeasures and enhanced due diligence measures will be more detailed and tailor made for each listed country. This will mean an effective, consistent and harmonised mitigating response at EU level. Such granular identification would, in line with the risk-based approach, also ensure that the measures are proportionate to the level of risk.
As regard the next update of the EU list, the Commission remains committed to adopt an updated EU list of high risk third countries as soon as possible in order to protect the EU financial system. In the past months, the Commission has been working with relevant third countries and with the European Parliament to address the concerns raised by the European Parliament in its resolution rejecting the latest EU list in April 2024.
Source: European Parliament
Maintaining a network of EU Delegations around the world is an obligation[1] and a political necessity. The network (the largest among EU diplomatic services with 145 EU Delegations) is vital for articulating and executing the EU’s priorities, both for external and internal policies.
More EU is needed in the world, as a normative, geopolitical and economic power. The Delegations project the EU’s values and policies on the ground, pursue strategic partnerships to reinforce the EU competitiveness and the economic security of third countries through the implementation of Global Gateway and the external dimension of key EU priorities[2]. They also enable the EU to deliver on key political commitments, undertaken in multilateral fora, such as the implementation of Agenda 2030 and its sustainable development goals.
Therefore, it is critical that EU Delegations are fit for the future and are equipped with the right mix of staff profiles and tools to respond to the rapidly shifting geopolitical situation, evolving policy priorities, and budget constraints.
As of today, there is no specific ‘plan’ nor decision for changing the EU Delegations’ structure or closing down any of them. T he Commission and the European External Action Service are looking into options for their modernisation on the basis of a set of budgetary, legal and staff parameters to increase their effectiveness. This is a collective endeavour and ambition to have an EU network fit for the future to protect EU interests in the world.
Source: European Parliament
1. The Joint Research Centre monitors the progress of Member States in implementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy[1] for 2030 and its targets[2]. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published dashboards on the reported progress towards achieving 30% of protected areas coverage on land[3] and at sea[4] by 2030. For the period between 2011 and 2022, these dashboards show a doubling of marine areas designated as protected[5], but only limited progress on land[6], and hence a need for Member States to step up efforts if the targets are to be achieved by 2030.
Given that only seven Member States have submitted pledges that outline their national coverage of strictly protected areas, a reliable EU-level assessment of progress towards achieving 10% of strictly protected areas by 2030 will only be possible once the EEA has revised its reporting tool of nationally protected areas in 2026.
Regarding primary and old-growth forests, the Commission is currently analysing their mapping and protection by Member States. Members States should map their primary and old growth forests by 2025 and strictly protect them by 2029[7].
2. The Commission does not have specific information[8] on the condition of primary and old-growth forests in the EU, nor does it currently intend to undertake such an analysis, except where such forests fall under provisions of the Habitats Directive[9] or the Nature Restoration Regulation[10]. A common definition of old-growth forest was provided in the 2023 Commission guidelines[11].
3. While the Commission does not have official data on the coverage of primary and old-growth forests, of those areas mapped, 87% are within strictly protected areas[12]. However, this figure needs to be read with caution given the significant mapping deficit in certain Member States[13].
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California
May 15, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, top Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee introduced the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act, a landmark bill that ensures Tribal Nations are full and equal partners in the management of federal lands. The legislation would direct the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service to incorporate Tribal co-management into decision-making processes—affirming Tribal sovereignty and fulfilling the U.S. federal government’s longstanding trust and treaty obligations.
“As wildfires grow more devastating and climate change accelerates, we simply cannot afford to ignore the expertise of those who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial,” said Ranking Member Huffman. “For too long, the federal government has left Tribal Nations out of decision-making processes when it comes to managing public lands, but these lands often hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance for Tribal communities. This bill changes that by creating a clear framework for real, equal partnership—where Tribes help shape decisions, lead restoration efforts, and bring their knowledge to the table in a way that is respected, protected, and empowered. This bill would help build a foundation for shared stewardship that respects Tribal sovereignty, improves forest health, and strengthens our communities against climate-driven disasters. It’s long overdue.”
“Federal recognition and respect for the deeply rooted relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land is overdue,” said Vice Ranking Member Sarah Elfreth. “As the original stewards of this land for centuries, their wisdom and lived experiences in preserving ecosystems, waterways, and natural resources like our forests offer generational knowledge we cannot afford to overlook. The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act takes an important step in ensuring Indigenous communities have their rightful seat at the table.”
“Tribal Nations have been stewards of our forests and lands since time immemorial, guided by deep cultural knowledge and respect for the natural world,” said Representative Teresa Leger Fernández, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. “When we recognize Tribes authority to lead and co-manage our public lands, we not only honor their sovereignty—we also protect our forests, our water, and our future. The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act recognizes that Tribal leadership is not just a matter of justice, it is essential for a healthy planet and resilient communities.”
“I’m proud to join Ranking Member Huffman in introducing this bill to elevate Tribal voices in land management decisions. In Colorado, where many Tribes, including the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute, have deep ties to the land, this landmark bill will improve Tribal co-management of our public lands.” said Representative Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. “I’m excited to join my colleagues in an effort to recognize Tribal Nations as equal partners in land stewardship, and uplift their longstanding ecological knowledge.”
“Tribal Nations have managed these lands for thousands of years—they know what they’re doing,” said Representative Val Hoyle, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. “If we’re serious about preserving our federal lands and preventing wildfires, we need to work with the people who’ve been protecting these forests long before the federal government existed. This bill gives Tribes the seat at the table they deserve and brings their deep knowledge into decisions that make our communities safer and our forests stronger.”
“Tribal Nations were stewards of their own lands for centuries before the U.S. government stepped in–they deserve an equal role in managing them now. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that affirms Tribal sovereignty and strengthens Indigenous partnerships in the management of federal lands. Our state is home to 22 federally recognized tribes; this bill ensures Tribal voices are central in shaping the future of our forests and public lands, especially as we work together to address the climate crisis,” said Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Ranking Member of the Energy and Minerals Subcommittee.
Tribal Nations have stewarded these lands since time immemorial, using traditional ecological knowledge to reduce wildfire risk, restore ecosystems, and protect sacred cultural resources. Yet despite this expertise, many Tribes continue to face bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of statutory authority that limit their participation in land management decisions.
This bill seeks to change that.
The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act:
“We are excited to endorse Rep. Huffman’s tribal self-determination and co-management in forestry bill. Karuk people have been managing our homelands since time immemorial and partnering with the US Forest Service for decades. We appreciate that this bill recognizes the importance of sovereign-to-sovereign co-management frameworks that enable us to do the important work of proactively managing our forests and making our landscapes more resilient to wildfire in a manner consistent with our indigenous knowledge practice and belief systems. We look forward to progressing these efforts in a bipartisan manner to enable more proactive management across multi-jurisdictional landscapes” Karuk Chairman Russell “Buster” Attebery
“The Stewardship Project supports the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act as a vital step toward reorienting federal land management around active stewardship and Indigenous leadership. This bill directly reflects recommendations from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission by ensuring Tribes are not just consulted, but empowered as equal partners in forest management.” The Stewardship Project Co-Chairs Scott Stephens, Don Hankins, and Sara Clark
“This legislation builds upon the shared stewardship authorities authorized by past Congresses to create a permanent co-management role in improving the health and resilience of federal lands. It would give tribes the ability to expand the successful models and practices used in Indian Country for the benefit of all federal land within their traditional territories. We fully support Congressman Huffman’s legislation and urge its passage by Congress.” Cody Desautel, President, InterTribal Timber Council
“Sustainable Northwest supports the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act and Representative Huffman’s recognition of Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. Legislation designed to protect and manage federal lands must respect, uphold, and implement the legally binding obligations the federal government has to Tribal nations. This legislation paves the way for a new approach to manage and enhance federal lands, add workforce capacity, and uphold Tribal and treaty rights in land management by formally including Tribal Nations in planning and decision-making.” Dylan Kruse, President, Sustainable Northwest
“The Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition is strongly in support of the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act which advances opportunities for Tribal co-management and co-stewardship of federal public lands. This bill is an important step in bolstering Tribal sovereignty, honoring protected Tribal rights, and bringing Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge into federal forest and grassland management. We thank Congressman Huffman for his leadership on this issue critical to the stewardship and resilience of rural communities and landscapes of the West.” Laurel Harkness, Coalition Director, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition
“The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission recognized co-management of federal lands with Tribes as a critical tool to achieve wildfire risk reduction. This bill expands the ability of the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to partner with Tribes to plan and accomplish much-needed restoration and risk reduction work and is an important step forward in expansion of federal co-management authority.” Tyson Bertone-Riggs, Managing Director, Alliance for Wildfire Resilience
“Tribal Co-Management Plans are an important vehicle for fulfilling our nation’s treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations and improving the overall stewardship of fire-dependent public lands. The Climate and Wildfire Institute supports The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act as a vital pathway for addressing the wildfire crisis by upholding and advancing Tribal rights and access consistent with recommendations from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Report.” Marissa Christiansen, Executive Director at the Climate and Wildfire Institute
“Our forests are unhealthy, and Tribal communities are held back from applying time-tested and locally driven practices in our own homelands. This bill on co-management is a fundamental step forward to restore forests and our communities who have managed them for thousands of years.” Ryan Reed, (Karuk, Hupa, Yurok), Director of FireGeneration Collaborative (FireGen)
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Source: European Parliament
In 2024, the Commission allocated EUR 237 million in humanitarian aid to address the needs of vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank[1]. EU humanitarian aid is delivered according to the humanitarian principles of humanity, independence, impartiality and neutrality[2]. These funds were allocated by the Commission to certified non-governmental partners and international organisations, including United Nations organisations[3].
Humanitarian non-governmental partners are thoroughly assessed by the Commission on their capacity to observe basic principles and obligations, including respect of the relevant EU, international and national law, as well as compliance with transparency, accountability and internal controls, including risk management mechanisms[4].
Furthermore, humanitarian partners have taken measures to secure aid delivery, such as securing warehouses, ensuring presence during distributions, and coordinating routes used for movement with Israeli security forces through the Humanitarian Notification System. The Commission is in regular contact with its partners on the ground. Despite the dramatic situation, they are doing their utmost to ensure due diligence, monitoring the situation and their activities.
Reconstruction goes beyond humanitarian aid and requires a long-term ceasefire as well as other conditions, such as governance and security arrangements, to fall in place. With the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas during 2024, the EU was not able to finance any reconstruction activities in Gaza in 2024.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission regrets the decision of the United States (US) to impose tariffs on EU exports of steel and aluminium on 12 March 2025. The Commission sees no justification for these tariffs. The Commission has emphasised to the US its wish to work together to address global overcapacities in these sectors and that the EU is not the problem — but is part of the solution. The Commission’s policy for the promotion of agricultural products allows specific promotion arrangements in case the markets would be disturbed. The recently published Commission legislative proposal to support the wine sector[1], includes an amendment to increase the duration of support for promotion operations under wine sectorial interventions, to allow for better market consolidation.
The Commission has also removed all the alcoholic products which were part of the package of countermeasures to the US steel and aluminium tariffs and of the published list for consultation. This includes bourbon, wine, and other spirits . The current exclusion keeps space for de-escalation and preserves room for negotiation. However, the Commission remains fully committed to defending its interests.
Finally, in light of the decision by the US to delay by 90 days its country-specific universal tariffs on EU exports at a level of 20%, the EU has decided to put its countermeasures on EUR 21 billion of US exports on hold for the same length of time.
The Commission’s priority remains to achieve a mutually beneficial negotiated solution.
Source: European Parliament
On 12 March 2025 the United States (US) imposed a 25% tariff on all US imports of steel and aluminium and derivative products[1][2][3]. This affects EUR 26 billion in EU exports. The EU adopted countermeasures for entry into force on 15 April 2025[4][5].
Since 2 April 2025 the US also imposes a 25% tariff on cars, to be extended to car parts as of 3 May[6][7]. Also on 2 April, the US announced broad horizontal tariffs of 20% on imports from the EU as of 9 April. These additional tariffs also include all EU exports to the US of agri-food products[8].
Subsequently, for various reasons, including contacts with trade partners, the US suspended its horizontal tariffs on many trade partners including the 20% tariff on the EU for a period of 90 days, while still maintaining a 10% base-tariff.
The EU has adopted countermeasures against the US tariffs on steel and aluminium but has also suspended those for 90 days. This was done to allow time and space for negotiations towards a mutually satisfactory solution and should these negotiations not be successful, the adopted countermeasures can enter into force again. In addition, the EU continues preparatory work for possible further proportionate countermeasures in response to the other US import tariffs.
The EU has at its disposal several instruments that allow addressing unjustified measures, including tariffs and other countermeasures, as well as internal measures to address impacts on EU agricultural producers from situations of market disturbance.
More broadly, and also in view of recent developments in EU-US trade, the Commission will continue to work on diversifying trade with other partners and will intensify efforts to remove internal barriers in the EU and to develop the EU Single Market.
Source: European Parliament
Regulation (EC) No 883/2004[1] on the coordination of national social security systems, together with its implementing Regulation (EC) 987/2009, are key pieces of EU legislation that ensure the protection of social security rights for individuals moving within the EU, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. They establish common rules for determining which country’s social security system applies to individuals in cross-border situations, while respecting the competence of Member States to define the specifics of their social security systems, such as beneficiaries, levels of allowances, and eligibility criteria.
In December 2016, the Commission proposed to modernise the current rules to ensure that they are fair, clear and easier to enforce. The negotiations between the co-legislators are ongoing.
Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 also applies to frontier workers or other cross-border workers, including those in the Moselle department of France who worked in Germany and receive unemployment benefits in France. According to the current rules, for these groups of workers, the unemployment benefits are generally paid by the Member State of residence.
Source: European Parliament
1. Since 1996, Israel’s association to the EU framework programmes for research and innovation (R&I) has been a success story with clear mutual benefits across various priority areas including information and communication technologies, health, advanced manufacturing, climate change and energy, as well as biotechnology. At this stage, it is premature to discuss which countries would be allowed to participate in or offered association to the successor of the current framework programme for R&I and under which terms as it is still to be scrutinised and adopted by the co- legislators, based on a proposal that is yet to be adopted by the Commission.
2. In accordance with Article 2 Treaty on European Union, the EU is founded on the values of inter alia respect for human rights. In consequence and in application of relevant EU, national and international law[1], the EU will continue to reaffirm its commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights including in R&I related activities, applicable to all participants in the R&I framework programmes regardless of their nationality.
3. Currently, any R&I activities carried out under Horizon Europe[2] must have an exclusive focus on civil applications, as set forth in applicable rules and in particular in the Horizon Europe Regulation[3]. During the implementation of Horizon Europe projects, all beneficiaries must ensure that the activities under the action comply with these rules.
Source: European Parliament
1. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361[1] prohibits Member States from allowing the use of vaccines against tuberculosis in bovine animals. This EU rule is based on decades of experience with eradication, on robust scientific advice, and on expert opinions. Currently available vaccines for bovine tuberculosis do not confer full protection and compromise tuberculin skin tests or other immunological tests, for the distinction between vaccinated and infected animals, jeopardising current control and eradication of bovine tuberculosis and the ongoing approved eradication programmes of the Member States.
2. The Commission has not communicated with the British authorities in this regard and has not received information from them on this topic.
3. The Commission is constantly ensuring that the EU rules are based on the latest scientific knowledge and has consulted the European Food Safety Authority several times on the issue of bovine tuberculosis .
Source: European Parliament
Spain’s national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) is the second largest (in absolute figures) financed by the Next Generation EU (NGEU) recovery instrument and its main spending tool, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Following the October 2023 amendment of the Spanish NRRP, adding a REPowerEU chapter, the plan’s value reached €163 billion (or 13.1 % of national gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019), an increase of roughly 135 % compared with the original plan of 2021 (€69.5 billion in grants only). The amended plan comes with an increased grant allocation of €79.8 billion and a freshly requested loan allocation of €83.2 billion. The grant part includes the June 2022 upward revision of Spain’s grant allocation of €7.7 billion and the country’s REPowerEU grant allocation of €2.6 billion. In addition, Spain has requested a transfer of its share from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve of €58 million to its NRRP. So far, €48.3 billion of RRF resources (29.6 % of the amended NRRP) have been received. These have been disbursed by the European Commission in form of pre-financing and four grant instalments. The amended plan focuses on the green transition, devoting almost 40 % of the resources to it, and fosters the digital transformation by committing 25.9 % of the funds (excluding REPowerEU) to digital projects. In the context of the European Semester, the Commission assessed the plan’s implementation as ‘under way’, yet warned about emerging delays hindering effective and swift implementation. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on its implementation and scrutinises the European Commission’s work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Sixth edition. The ‘NGEU delivery’ briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans.
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001847/2025
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Petr Bystron (ESN)
According to the ‘About Us’ section of its website, the European External Action Service (EEAS) works to support resilient democracies, promote human rights and contribute to a rules-based global order in Europe and around the world. However, the EEAS – the EU’s official diplomatic service, which receives approximately EUR 732 million annually from the EU budget – appears to cooperate with and fund NGOs that were previously part of the network of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), such as Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), Save the Children, Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps and others.
In light of recent actions by US President Donald Trump, which led to the termination of most USAID foreign activities, we would like to raise the following questions:
Submitted: 7.5.2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001889/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Özlem Demirel (The Left)
Cyprus is engaged in a new form of cooperation with Syria that involves boat refugees being returned directly to the Syrian port of Tartus before they reach Cypriot territorial waters. Such action, which prevents asylum applications from being made and examined, is banned under international law because it constitutes refoulement at sea.
Submitted: 12.5.2025